Ephesians 3:7-13
Reflect
I love the image provided in verse 10: the heavenly places are observing us, the church, to see how the manifold wisdom of God will be displayed. It is in the community of the church that spiritual formation takes place.
Sometimes it is hard to stay in the church. She is filled with all types of flawed people; people that are not paying attention to who Jesus is. They made a commitment to Jesus, but it has drifted. The latest craze becomes more appealing and filled with less drama than the church. When you are in church, you have a lot of people that are hard to be with. That is why it is the best place for spiritual formation. The birth of Jesus was a scandal, His death was a scandal, the church for the last 2000 years has also been scandalous. It is not a sterile environment.
I spoke to someone last week about someone who left the church because they disagreed with one item. He said to me, “You know, people may agree with 9 out of 10 things, but they leave over the 1. Then they go to the next church, and they’ll leave there also unless they realize that they can gracefully live with people that they are not in complete agreement with”. That’s worth remembering.
Apply
How are the heavenly realms seeing evidenced in you that God is glorified as you walk alongside people that are a challenge to you?
Pastor Dan
Pray
- Pray for our Prime Minister and Premier, Mayor Sohi, your MP, your MLA, and any other government officials God brings to your mind.
- Pray for Karen Alksne, our Congregational Life Ministry Associate.